The Plays of Shakespeare: A Thematic GuideTouching viewers and readers with his presentation of social, moral, and political issues, Shakespeare holds ageless and unequaled appeal primarily because of the universal themes at the heart of his dramatic works. Shakespeare scholar Victor Cahn takes a unique approach to exploring the plays by identifying and explicating the themes that recur throughout the canon. Written in lively language, each of the 35 essays explores a core theme or topic and discusses its implications in several key plays in which it figures prominently. This user-friendly guide not only allows readers to better understand the significance of concepts such as power, politics, marriage or money; the organization by theme also helps users to compare and contrast these important topics across relevant plays. Cahn draws vivid connections between related works of Shakespeare, but just as importantly, enlightens readers as to the pertinence of these themes in contemporary life. |
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... husband's callous treat- ment , but hopes that his pleasure in her will be revived . All she can do in this predicament , however , is articulate her desperation : His company must do his minions grace , Whilst I at home starve for a ...
... husband had every social advantage , and thus a woman's status and happiness were based on her husband's behavior . The cruelty of this plight is articulated by Antipho- lus's wife , Adriana , in The Comedy of Errors : His company must ...
... husband . But if that husband is entitled to authority , he is equally charged with the respon- sibility of dedicating his life to her happiness and welfare . When Kath- erine compares marriage to the political relationship between ...